CATHEDRAL CONCERT SOCIETY
(T/A Ripon Concerts)
Annual report and financial statements
For the year ended
31 May 2023
Patron
Julius Drake
Charity No 1163277
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2023
ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
CONTENTS
| Trustees’ annual report .................................................................................................................... | 3 - 6 |
|---|---|
| Independent examiner’s report ......................................................................................................... | 7 |
| Statement of receipts and payments ................................................................................................. | 8 |
| Statement of assets and liabilities .................................................................................................... | 9 |
| Notes to the financial statements ...................................................................................................... | 10 - 12 |
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TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2023
The trustees present their report and financial statements together with the independent examiner’s report for the year ended 31 May 2023.
| REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS | REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS | |
|---|---|---|
| Charity name | Cathedral Concert Society | (T/A Ripon Concerts) |
| Charity number | 1163277 | |
| Contact address | Little Orchard | |
| Mickley | ||
| Ripon | ||
| HG4 3JE | ||
| Website address | www.riponconcerts.co.uk | |
| Current trustees | Roger Higson | Chair |
| Michael Furse | ||
| Judith Hooper | ||
| Brian Kealy | ||
| Anthony Ogus | ||
| Other trustees who | ||
| served during the year | Charles Monck | Resigned 28/06/2022 |
| Bankers | Unity Trust Bank plc | |
| 4 Brindley Place | ||
| Birmingham | ||
| B1 2JB | ||
| Independent examiner | Michael Brougham | |
| 3 Lyne Grove | ||
| Crossford | ||
| Dunfermline | ||
| KY12 8YB |
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TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2023
STRUCTURE GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Governing Document
Cathedral Concert Society ("the Society") is a charitable incorporated organisation (“CIO”) granted charitable status by the Charity Commission for England and Wales on 24 August 2015. It is governed by its constitution, which was last updated in September 2021.
Appointment of Trustees
Trustees are elected by the members of the Society at the Annual General Meeting, subject to there being a minimum of four and a maximum of nine trustees. The members of the Society or the existing trustees may appoint additional trustees at any time, subject to the maximum number not being exceeded.
At each Annual General Meeting, one third of the trustees shall retire from office but will be eligible for reelection.
OBJECTS AND ACTIVITIES
The objects of the charity are:
-
to promote, develop, and maintain appreciation of, the art of music in all its aspects by the presentation of public professional concerts and recitals, and by such other ways as the Society through its committee shall determine from time to time.
-
to advance musical education by the provision of free or subsidised concerts to minors and their families.
In furtherance of these objects, but not otherwise, the Society provides six chamber concerts a year to its members and ticket purchasers. It not only engages experienced and acclaimed musicians but also encourages local and younger performers. Young people attend concerts at heavily discounted prices and children of school age attend free of charge.
Public Benefit
The six concerts in our season give the opportunity for the audience to experience high quality live chamber music locally.
For some people, this is a first time experience and even for seasoned concert goers there will be the opportunity to hear unfamiliar repertoire and new compositions.
In preparing this report, the trustees have had regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit.
ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE
A full season of six concerts was held in Holy Trinity Church during the season. All were of a high standard and well received by audiences, again appreciative of the opportunity to hear live music, albeit audience numbers were lower than in pre-Covid seasons.
Concert 1 - 17 October 2022
The Fitzroy String Quartet, formed at The Royal Academy of Music in 2015, opened the season with an accomplished performance of quartets by Bartok, Debussy and Haydn.
Concert 2 - 14 November 2022
This was the first of two concerts, which promoted young artists. Soprano Pasquale Orchard (then a member of Opera North chorus), and tenor Nick Watts were accompanied by pianist David Cowan (head of music at Opera North) in a wide ranging recital of songs by Britten, Rachmaninov, Korngold, Gurney, Porter, Loewe, Rodgers and Novello.
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FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2023
TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT
Concert 3 - 12 December 2022
The Ferio Saxophone Quartet brought a new dimension to some familiar works as well as introducing the audience to original works written for the saxophone by lesser-known composers. The audience were enthralled by some virtuoso playing in this more light-hearted pre-Christmas concert.
Concert 4 - 09 January 2023
In the second of our young musicians' concerts, 21 year-old pianist Leah Nicholson, from the Royal Academy of Music, tackled a large programme of works by Scarlatti, Beethoven, Janacek, Shostakovich and Scriabin. She performed to a very high standard and clearly has a bright future.
Concert 5 - 13 February 2023
The outstanding Piatti String Quartet was joined by clarinettist Michael Collins in a performance of Mozart’s Clarinet Quintet and preceded this with string quartets by Shostakovich and Smetana. The audience appreciated playing of the highest quality.
Concert 6 - 13 March 2023
Baroque violin specialist Rachel Podger included Ripon in a tour of music societies in the north of England and Scotland to promote her new CD Tutta Sola. Her virtuoso playing and interesting commentary was a fitting climax to another season of high quality and very enjoyable music making.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
Overview
Income comes from membership subscriptions, ticket sales, concert sponsorship, advertising in concert programmes, and donations from individuals. Principal items of expenditure have been artists' fees, venue costs, piano hire and publicity material.
Our aim has always been to try to cover our operating costs with regular income from membership subscriptions, additional ticket sales at individual concerts and regular donations from members. This year we were grateful for sponsorship of Leah Nicholson by Maunby Investment Management, and of Rachel Podger by long standing society members Mr and Mrs Deller. Despite this generosity, our falling audience numbers have resulted in a small operating deficit and use of our reserve fund established by the Liz and Terry Brammall Foundation and the Mayor of Harrogate’s Ball fund.
The following is a summary of our Receipts and Payments for the year.
| Operating receipts Operating payments Net payments for the year |
2023 2022 |
|---|---|
| £ £ 17,436 22,062 (21,818) (23,150) |
|
| (4,382) (1,088) |
Reserves Policy
Given that membership fees, ticket sales and donations from members are unlikely to cover the costs of concerts, the trustees consider that it is appropriate to hold sufficient reserves to underpin a complete season of concerts. Free reserves at the year-end, which are close to the target level, were as follows:
| Total funds as at 31/05/2023 Less: Term deposits held to generate funds Free reserves as at 31/05/2023 |
2023 2022 |
|---|---|
| £ £ 49,407 53,649 (29,017) (28,702) |
|
| 20,390 24,947 |
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TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2023
FUTURE PLANS
The Society is at a critical stage following the resignation of the treasurer and another trustee at the end of the 2021-22 season. It was very disappointing that the AGM held at the start of the season was very poorly attended and no one came forward as replacements to take the Society forwards. The remaining trustees have agreed to continue for another season, but if others cannot be found to fill vacancies, the future of the Society cannot be guaranteed.
Meanwhile the Society aims to continue promoting high quality chamber music concerts in Ripon by:
-
hosting well known experienced performers to enhance our reputation;
-
providing a platform for musicians at the start of their careers;
-
promoting a balance of both well-known and less familiar works; and
-
encouraging attendance at our concerts by young people.
APPROVAL
This report, which has been prepared in accordance with the Charities Act 2011, was approved by the trustees on 20 September 2023 and signed on their behalf by:
Roger Higson
Roger Higson
Chair
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INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2023
Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of Cathedral Concert Society
I report on the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 May 2023, which are set out on pages 8 to 12.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity’s trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act).
You are satisfied that the charity is not required by charity law to have its accounts audited and you have chosen to have an independent examination instead of an audit.
It is my responsibility to examine the accounts under section 145 of the Act. In carrying out my examination, I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Independent Examiner's Statement
Having completed by examination, I confirm that no matter came to my attention giving me cause to believe in any material respect:
-
accounting records were not kept as required by section 130 of the Act; or
-
the accounts do not accord with those records.
I confirm there are no other matters to which your attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Michael Brougham
Michael Brougham, MCBI FCIE
3 Lyne Grove Crossford Dunfermline KY12 8YB 22 September 2023
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STATEMENT OF RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2023
| Receipts Donations Trading receipts / Concerts Investment income Payments Trading payments / Concerts Administration Governance costs Net receipts/(payments) Balance as at 01 June 2022 Balance as at 31 May 2023 |
Note | 2023 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| 6 7 8 9 10 |
£ £ 1,315 6,303 15,591 15,332 530 427 |
|
| 17,436 22,062 |
||
| 17,266 17,283 4,552 5,517 - 350 |
||
| 21,818 23,150 |
||
| (4,382) (1,088) 53,649 54,737 |
||
| 49,267 53,649 |
All funds are unrestricted.
The above statement excludes funds raised for other charities as shown in Note 12
The Notes on pages 10 to 12 form an integral part of these accounts.
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AS AT 31 MAY 2023
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
| Bank & cash Balances Bank term deposits Bank deposit account Bank current account Cash in hand PayPal account Debtors Trade debtors Accrued income (Gift Aid) Liabilities Trade creditors |
2023 2022 |
|---|---|
| £ £ 29,017 28,702 17,827 24,463 1,071 484 1,106 - 246 - |
|
| 49,267 53,649 |
|
| 700 - 140 - |
|
| 840 - |
|
| 700 - |
All funds are unrestricted.
The Notes on pages 10 to 12 form an integral part of these accounts.
These accounts, which have been prepared in accordance with the Charities Act 2011, were approved by the trustees on 20 September 2023 and signed on their behalf by:
Roger Higson
Roger Higson
Chair
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NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2023
1. Basis of Preparation
These accounts have been prepared on the Receipts and Payments basis in accordance with the Charities Act 2011.
2. Fund Accounting
-
(a) Unrestricted funds are those that can be expended at the discretion of the trustees in the furtherance of the objects of the charity.
-
(b) Restricted funds are those that may only be used for specific purposes. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor, or when funds are raised for specific purposes.
Currently all of the charity’s funds are unrestricted.
3. Taxation
-
(a) The charity is not liable to corporation tax or capital gains tax on its charitable activities.
-
(b) The charity is not registered for VAT, thus all costs are shown inclusive of VAT charged.
4. Trustee remuneration and benefits
-
(a) No remuneration was paid to trustees during the year or in the previous year.
-
(b) The charity's insurance policy includes trustee indemnity insurance cover for all of its trustees. No other benefits were received by the trustees during the year or in the previous year.
5. Trustee expenses
No expenses were reimbursed to the trustees during the year. In the previous year, travelling expenses totalling £314 were reimbursed to three trustees.
6. Related party transactions
There were no related party transactions during the year or in the previous year.
7. Donations
| Donations from members Membership fees Corporate sponsorship Gift Aid |
2023 2022 |
|---|---|
| £ £ 1,315 4,086 - 416 - 1,000 - 801 |
|
| 1,315 6,303 |
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FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2023
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
8. Trading receipts (Concerts)
| Concert subscriptions Ticket sales Advertising Programmes Refreshments and CD sales |
2023 2022 |
|---|---|
| £ £ 8,600 10,135 4,325 2,950 1,500 2,230 586 - 580 17 |
|
| 15,591 15,332 |
9. Trading payments (Concerts)
| Performers' fees and expenses Venue hire Piano hire Programmes Refreshments and hospitality |
2023 2022 |
|---|---|
| £ £ 10,904 8,870 2,652 2,858 1,815 3,855 1,767 1,320 128 380 |
|
| 17,266 17,283 |
10. Administration
| Advertising and publicity Bank and payment platform charges Insurance Postage and stationery Social media Subscriptions Travelling expenses Website Governance costs AGM costs Donation in lieu of independent examiner's fee |
2023 2022 |
|---|---|
| £ £ 500 606 228 178 418 158 - 634 1,000 1,073 - 98 - 314 2,406 2,456 |
|
| 4,552 5,517 |
|
| 2023 2022 |
|
| £ £ - 50 - 300 |
|
| - 350 |
11. Governance costs
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FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2023
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
12. Funds raised for other charities
| Help Musicians UK (Charity No 228089) | 2023 2022 |
|---|---|
| £ £ - 35 |
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